Workplace Accidents Still Cause Thousands Of Workers To Lose Their Lives Each Year
The pull of gravity is strong and unchanging. It keeps our feet firmly planted on the earth, at least until they suddenly lift off. Gravity and the impact we have with a hard, unforgiving surface when that occurs—when a slip, trip, or fall sends us flying to the ground—can cause serious, sometimes permanent damage.
Unfortunately, workplaces see incapacitating falls every single day. These falls result in tens of thousands of dollars in lost wages for workers, as well as higher healthcare costs for businesses, decreased productivity, and operational disruptions. That is why it is so important for both employees and businesses to protect workers against falls at work.
Slips, trips, and Fall Injuries Cause a Quarter of a Million Workplace Accidents Each Year
In the North America, falls are the third most common reason for unintentional injury-related fatalities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
- Each year, about 700,000 patients who sustain injuries from falls end up in hospitals.
- Every fifth fall results in a serious injury.
- The most common reason for traumatic brain injury is falls (TBI).
Falls that result in injuries frequently occur at work. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that slips, trips, and falls were the cause of 27% of the 888,220 nonfatal workplace accidents that required time away from work in 2019. In a single year, that equates to over 240,000 fall injuries at work.
A total of 55% of workplace slip and fall incidents were the consequence of slick walking surfaces due to contamination, splatter, fluid discharge, liquid spills, or leaked chemicals, lubricating oils, greases, and other substances.
Preventing Slip and Fall Injuries at Work Is Much Cheaper Than Treating Them
Each year, workplace accidents involving slips, trips, and falls cost business owners billions of dollars. According to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, employee falls cost firms $11 billion in just 2014. Nearly 20% of the $60 billion in business losses incurred that year as a result of workplace accidents. Additionally, a worker hurt in a slip and fall accident loses 38 days of work on average, costing businesses millions more in additional lost productivity and raised insurance costs.
But it costs a lot, much less than that to lessen the likelihood of workplace slips and falls. Your business can save money and keep employees productive by investing in commercial mats and floor coverings specifically made to reduce such incidences.
The best commercial mats and floor covering goods are available on the market thanks to Canada Mats. Our products are made to be functional, long-lasting, and safe in a variety of settings.
